animus_network

[She tenses up and hesitantly glances over at him.] B-because I'm a-awkward, and nervous, a-and stupid and I always mess things up, a-a-and I'm not... w-worth anything...

[April. No. Let Aleph hug you. He is hugging you now, so please, stop saying all those bad things about yourself.]

[Whoa wait what, April was not expecting this. But she does hesitantly hug back.]

... A-Aleph?

I care about you and it hurts to see you think of yourself that way.

[Not letting go.]

[This is not a situation April is used to asdkfldjl-]

... I-I'm sorry, I just... I never thought anyone w-would care, so I-I... [She never thought anyone would like her in this way.]

[He rubs her back gently, trying to soothe her.] You don't have to be sorry.

[That does get a quiet, content murmur from her, and she hugs him a bit tighter.]

I-I just... I... I-I never thought a-anything like this would h-happen...

... W-why me?

You've forgiven me for being an ass. And even though you don't think you're a good person, you've always done your best to be one anyway. And you're really pretty.

[That gets a shy mumble from her, and she hides her face in his chest. And despite her embarrassment, she hasn't even tried to pull away yet.]

[He can be here all day if it means he gets to hug her.]

[She eventually hesitantly squeaks up.] ... A-are you sure? T-that it's me you w-want to date?

Absolutely sure.

[She swallows tightly, and after a few long moments, she speaks again.] ... O-o-okay... I-I'll go out with you...

[For that, she gets a tight squeeze and probably the biggest smile she's ever seen on Aleph's face.]

[She blinks up at him, before she gives him a squeeze back and smiles too.] ... I-I'm gonna guess that you're happy?

Incredibly happy.

[<333]

[Yep, she's blushing a lot now.] I-I-I'm glad to hear that... And, u-um, I'll do my best to be a g-good, um, g-girlfriend. [So, so red.]

I'm going to try to be a really good boyfriend, too.

[This is probably the first time she's ever turned this red, and she swallows tightly before nodding.] S-so we'll... W-we'll both do our best.

Yeah.

...can I stay awhile?

Hm? Yeah, o-of course! A-and my roommates won't be back for a while a-anyway...

All right. [He reaches for her hand and holds it gently.]

[He might be able to feel how she's still shaking a bit from all her nerves, but she still holds his hand.] ... A-are... Are you positive about this, t-though?

Completely sure. You don't have to worry.

... B-but you said before that I remind you of Hiroko... S-so...

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